The interpretation of the image of the Motanka doll in graphic design
Students Name: Babkina Bohdanna Ihorivna
Qualification Level: master (ESP)
Speciality: Design
Institute: Institute of Architecture and Design
Mode of Study: full
Academic Year: 2022-2023 н.р.
Language of Defence: ukrainian
Abstract: The master’s thesis presents the theoretical and methodological foundations of the research, compositional, artistic and technical solution of the project of the interpretation of the image of the motanka doll in contemporary graphic design. The relevance of research of the folk toy motanka doll is due to the aspects of national education and spiritual formation of the individual. The graphic stylisation of the motanka doll in contemporary design is an example of the revival of old traditions in a new interpretation. In the current political situation in Ukraine, it is quite relevant to turn to the tradition and thoroughly study the stages of development of the motanka doll and its modernisation. The motanka doll is seen as a talisman of families, a personification of the unity of generations, which allows to convey the spiritual image of the Ukrainian people. Goal of research is to identify the peculiarities of the interpretation of the image of a rag doll in contemporary graphic design, to actualise the problem of national self-identification and to spread Ukrainian traditions through the graphic interpretation of the image of a folk toy. The object of research is the image of a rag doll in design. The subject of research is the artistic and design (colour, composition and proportions, stylistics, semiotics) and figurative means of interpreting the image of a rag doll in contemporary graphic design. Results of research. The first chapter discusses the research methodology (theoretical, empirical and modelling methods were used), historical aspects of the development of the image of the motanka doll as an element of Ukrainian cultural heritage, sacred symbols in the image of a folk toy. A review of the scientific works of L. Gerus (2007), T. Lukashenko (2015), N. Makohon (2006), Y. Melnychuk (2004), O. Naiden (2016), H. Reznichenko (2012), I.Serdiuk (2012), O. Tarasova (2014), A. Shushkevych (2011), O. Shynin, N. Taranovska, T. Poplinska (2021), which reveal the emergence of the motanka doll, its figurative originality, functional features, and role in the life of the Ukrainian people. The research by N. Manchuk (2021), O. Strelets (2013), D. Cherniak and V. Soloviova (2020) state that the motanka doll plays the role of an important component that forms ethnic consciousness, the genetic code of the nation, national identity, embodies the connection between generations and is considered a work of art. The publications by T. Rudyuk (2022), O. Skliarenko (2017), and A. Stakhurska-Kozoriz (2018) highlight the role of the motanka doll during military aggression, its image as a talisman for a Ukrainian soldier, as an element of cultural diplomacy that encourages the formation of a modern ethnos, engages the world community in many cultural and artistic events, and increases the international community’s interest in the culture of Ukraine. It is noted that in different periods of Ukraine’s history, the image of the motanka doll has evolved, developed and become more perfect, while retaining its uniqueness and symbolism. Thanks to the creativity of master puppeteers, the motanka has acquired new artistic meanings and has become an object of aesthetic pleasure, is used in various design fields, and is important in preserving Ukrainian culture. The second chapter analyses the conceptual foundations of ethnicity in art, the peculiarities of using decorative, stylistic, and formative techniques of folk art, the interpretation of folk ornamentation in contemporary graphic design, and domestic and foreign analogues of interpreting folk art images in graphic design. It has been established that in the context of graphic design, folk ornamentation is an important source of forms and ideas, as it contains various components, such as geometric shapes, colours, lines and symbols, which can be used to create original graphic works. Symbols play a key role in the preservation and restoration of cultural values, in the processes of communication between the past and the present, allowing the reconstruction of information signs that are necessary for the formation of a sense of ethnicity. In the context of graphic design, when using ethnic elements, it is important to use various techniques and materials, such as cutting or embossing on paper, wood, hand drawing, engraving, etc. It has been found that designers are interested in objects containing symbols and images of ethnic culture, focusing on the study of fine arts, rethinking the material heritage in order to create aesthetically pleasing works. The third chapter presents the classification of rag dolls in the Ukrainian ethnos, reveals the artistic and figurative techniques of forming the female image in the rag doll, highlights the role of the rag doll in the context of tradition and modernity, considers the interpretation of the female image in folk art and extrapolation of its features in works of contemporary graphic design. It is found that in folk art the female image is stylised in various variations. One example is the personification of the female image in the motanka doll, which has the symbolic meaning of a talisman, a woman-mother, wisdom and fertility. Designers use different types of symbolism that are interpreted over time and give their artworks different emotions and meanings. In order to form artistic and figurative techniques of the female image in the motanka doll, it is necessary to carefully study the components that are characteristic of the doll: shape and structure, colour scheme, symbolic meanings, traditional clothing and other additional elements. In the fourth chapter, based on the results of the study, the general concept, compositional and technical features, artistic and figurative solution of the project are developed, and the target audience is determined. Based on the results of the research conducted for the master’s thesis, the design of the educational art book "Motanka" was developed. The main concept of the publication is to reproduce the varieties of motanka dolls, their functions and significance in the author’s interpretation in order to modernise and spread Ukrainian ethnic traditions. The art book contains 11 spreads, which include a flyleaf, a spread with general information about rag dolls, the main elements that make up a rag doll, illustrations of different types of dolls and their purpose, and a spread with step-by-step instructions for creating a rag doll with your own hands. When creating an art book with stylised rag dolls, it is important to take into account the peculiarities of the compositional and artistic solution: colour scheme, symbolic meaning, shape, structure, text, font typeface, etc. The art book is dominated by illustrative images with a harmonious combination of a small amount of textual content. The author’s graphic interpretation of the motanka image in the art book design attracts the attention of an audience of different age groups and social statuses: schoolchildren, students, teachers and representatives of other professions. The book can be used in the family circle, at labour training lessons, circles or master classes, which will encourage the manufacture of this toy. Key words: rag doll, graphic interpretation, art book, compositional and artistic images, ethnic style, Ukrainian tradition.